title: The Metacognitions about Desire Thinking Questionnaire: development and psychometric properties.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent research has suggested that specific metacognitions may play a role in the activation and escalation of desire thinking and craving. The goal of this research project was to develop the first self-report instrument of metacognitions about desire thinking.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted three studies with nonclinical samples (N = 213, N = 279, N = 60) to construct the Metacognitions about Desire Thinking Questionnaire (MDTQ) and test its structure and psychometric properties. A fourth study was added to test the predictive validity of MDTQ in a sample of alcohol abusers (N = 75).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Explorative and confirmatory factor analysis supported a 3-factor solution: positive metacognitions about desire thinking, negative metacognitions about desire thinking, and need to control desire related thoughts. Internal consistency, divergent validity, temporal stability were also examined in a community sample and predictive validity was confirmed even in a sample of alcohol abusers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MDTQ was shown to possess good psychometric properties, as well as divergent and predictive validity within the populations that were tested.
authors.affiliation: London South Bank University; Studi Cognitivi, Cognitive Psychotherapy School.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caselli
authors.forename: Marcantonio M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Spada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000503:physiopathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013850:Thinking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: addiction; alcohol abuse; craving; desire thinking; metacognition